by Kim Merrikin
You deserve to be loved.
You deserve a life free from exploitation.
Those were the opening lines from A Night of REST 2020—a virtual soirée that gathered hundreds from across the country under the common banner of providing pathways to freedom, safety, and hope to victims and survivors of sexual exploitation.
A Night of REST 2020 was a little different from years past—we couldn’t gather in person this year, but we still gathered to raise critical funds for REST and the survivors we serve. Over the course of the evening, and the week of giving that followed, supporters raised over $390,000 to sustain REST’s programs and services as we seek to walk alongside those who have experienced the sex trade as they overcome barriers, and seek a life free from exploitation.
Those who joined us for the program heard from a survivor who courageously shared her story, REST staff and board members, as well as musicians Duff McKagan and Thunderstorm Artis. If you missed the program, you can still watch the replay through November 15—you just need to register here to receive your access link and code.
In the program, we got to share for the first time our new “What is sex trafficking?” video that offers a quick, concise explanation of commercial sexual exploitation.
We are thrilled to have this tool and hope it is helpful to our supporters as they seek to educate others and get their communities involved in the fight against sex trafficking.
It was so inspiring and encouraging to see our community—here in the Seattle area, across the country, and around the world—come together to build and expand pathways to freedom, safety, and hope for victims and survivors of sexual exploitation.
To everyone who participated—thank you.